Improvement in caddies for holding tea, coffee



R. M AINER.

Caddies for Holding Tea, Coffee, &c.

Patented Oct. 26, 1875.

N. PElERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER WASHINGTON, D, C.

UNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT MAINER, or O ILLIA, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CADDIES HOLDING TEA, COFFEE, &'c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,1 13, dated October26, 1875 application filed February 18, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT MAINER, of the village of Orillia, in thecounty of Simcoe, in the Provinceof Ontario, Canada, have invented newand useful Improvements in Gaddies for Holding Tea, Coffee, 800., ofwhich the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a cylindrical case revolving around a centralbearing-pivot, and

. divided into. a number of equal or unequal compartments by partitionsradiating from. the center to the periphery of the box. The outer edgeof the bottom of the case is supported on friction-rollers traveling ona track formed by the base-piece which supports'the central pivot.Between the bottom of the case and the hopper -bottom of thecompartments a chamber is formed of suitable depth to receive scoops,which radiate from the center, and slide into suitable seats under eachcompartment. The hopper -bottoms of the several compartments are closedwith a drawslide operated from without the case, and fitted with anupright rod extending into the compartment, for the purpose of looseningthe grains of the tea, or other articles stored in the compartment,which are apt topack and refuse to fall, unless disturbed when the slideis opened. The top of the caseis closed with a conical or oval cover,perforated over each compartment, for the purpose of replenishing them,when necessary, each perforation being fitted with a detachable cover.

The object of my invention is, first, to provide a convenient storagefor teas, &c., of different grades, colors, and prices; second, tov

enable the said commodities to be handled quickly, with economy, and tobe stored without loss of quality.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a cross-section Fig. 2, aplan, and Fig. 3 an outer elevation of a caddy constructed according tomy invention. 7

A is the base, circular in form, to the center of which, and extendingupward, the pivot O is secured. D is the cylindrical case, of suitablediameter and height, divided into a number of-say, eight-compartments, Dby the partition-walls d. In the center of the case a pocket or pivothole, E, is constructed, extending from the top to the bottom of thecase. In this pocket, at a suitable distance from the top of the case, aconcave seat, F", is constructed to receive the top of the pivot. Themain weight of the case and contents is supported on this central point,the friction-rollers F merely steadying the case as'it is revolved. Thetop of the case is finished to a conical or oval shape, circularperforations d being cut over each compartment, through which tointroduce the tea or other article. Each of these holes is fitted with atightlyfitting cover. The bottoms D of the compartments are providedwith hoppers, the orifices being circular and fitted with sliding doorsGr. These doors have a stem or tail, G which extends outward beyond thecase, finishing with a suitable turn or handle, by which they may beopened and closed. On the upper side of the doors, upright rods G areattached, for the purpose of distributing the tea when the sliding doorsare drawn.

open, so that it will fall into the scoops H below. Teas and lightsubstances of a nature similar to tea do not flow readily out of anaperture, the particles matting together over the opening, therefore itis necessary to separate the mass thus formed before the grains will runfor this reason then are the rods Gr attached to the doors. placeddirectly under the compartment, radiate to the center, are half round,and fit in half-round seats H, being retained therein by friction. Theouter ends finish with a flange and the scoops are provided with asuitable handle for convenience of working. The case D is finished witha molded wood bottom, I, to which the friction-rollers F are secured atsuitable distances apart. The rollers F travel on the base-plate A,bearing but lightly thereon. The outer surface of the cylinder may beornamentedto any degree desired, and at the same time it can be dividedinto panels which indicate the size of the compartment, and may havewritten on them the name, quality, price, 860., of the article containedwithin. I propose to construct the main body of sheet metal, the bottomand pivot base only of wood.

The advantages gained by my invention are, first, articles such as tea,which are of differ- The scoops H are out kinds, qualities, prices, andin general deman din broken quantities, are conveniently stored, easilyhandled, and kept quite distinct, all within the same case; second, oncethe article is placed in its proper compartment there is no necessity tolift the lid until the compartment is empty, thus keeping itfree fromdirt, accidental mixture with other articles, and in the case of tea,cofl'ee, &c., retaining their full flavor, which they are apt to loosewhen exposed as in the ordinary way of selling; further, the caddy takesup little room in comparison with the space required foran independentcaddy-set," V illclaim as lmyl inventionf-y-e The compartments D, withthe hopper bottoms D draw-slides G, with upright rod G,

and handle G in combination with theradially-placed scoops H fitting inthe seats H,

arranged substantiallyas described.

, RBT. MAINER.

Witnesses l GEO. A. Arm); CHARLES MoINNEs;

